Skip to main content

FROM FISHERS TO BIRDERS: THE BOJO RIVER STORY

Feb 29, 2024

The municipality of Aloguinsan, Province of Cebu, Philippines is a 3rd class municipality which is located at the remote place in southwest part of the province. It consists of 15 Barangays with 3 coastal areas, and one of it is Barangay Bojo where the hidden beauty of Bojo River lies.

The main livelihood of the locals are fishing, farming and being a laborer. It’s disheartening that dissatisfaction and ignorance of the law can sometimes lead to illegal practices like fishing and farming. The Local Government Unit ( LGU) of Aloguinsan find a sustainable and legal alternatives that could help preserve the environment and promote responsible practices in the community like “sustainable tourism”.

In 2009, the LGU of Aloguinsan conducted various training workshops and seminars for fishermen, farmers and housewives about ecotourism and sustainable tourism. After 4 months of undergoing the different trainings, the BOJO ALOGUINSAN ECOTOURISM ASSOCIATION ( BAETAS )  was organized and launched the Bojo River Eco-Cultural Tour on June 14, 2009  to the tourists which aims at preserving and protecting the 1.4 km river where 24 species of mangroves, 61 species of birds live,  the different species of corals in the Tañon Strait, conserve local culture and tradition, promote the town and having sustainable livelihood.

Not long after opening to the public, it captivated the interest of both local and international tourists. From 2009 up to 2022 the tourist arrival reached up to 300,000 which earns a total receipts of 39.5 million pesos, 896,000 pesos for community projects, have help 4,000 families and invested 3 million pesos for the infrastructure.

BAETAS implemented different projects and programs that can help the local people such as conducting medical mission, feeding program, giving assistance to the elderly, giving school supplies and funding scholarship program. Additionally, BAETAS is implementing a program for mangrove rehabilitation and reforestation, along with monthly river and coastal clean-ups.

In 2015 up to present the Bojo River received 4 National awards and 6 International Awards such as:

  • UNEP PATA INSPIRE AWARD Philippines, 2015, ASEAN AWARD Singapore, 2017,
  • 2016 GLOBAL TOP 100 SUSTAINABLE DESTINATION AWARD Slovenia, September 2016,
  • 2017 GLOBAL TOP 100 SUSTAINABLE DESTINATION AWARD Portugal, September 2017,
  • 2018 GLOBAL TOP 100 SUSTAINABLE DESTINATION AWARD Germany, September 2018,
  • 2021 BEST ECOTOURSIM VILLAGES, December 2021, and
  • LOCAL TOURISM AWARD AT 31ST SKAL INTERNATIONAL MAKATI TOURISM AWARDS ON OCTOBER 26, 2023, Philippines.
  • LOCAL TOURISM AWARD AT 31ST SKAL INTERNATIONAL MAKATI TOURISM AWARDS ON OCTOBER 26, 2023, Philippines.

Fortuitously, numerous opportunities have arrived in our association. We partnered with different travel agencies and government agencies providing fundings. Additionally, we successfully collaborated with various. universities. Recently, we have a new partnership with Erasmus+  project through “ECOVIP. This project can help our association  broaden our campaign about responsible travel, not only in local market but also in the international market.

As the United Nations created the Sustainable Development Goals, this project answers some of the SDG’s such as “No to Poverty, this project helps the local community to have an alternative income that help them in financial problem; Good Health and well-being” one of objective of this project is to preserve and protect the environment where it can lead to clean and fresh air as well as healthy environment; “Gender equality” that is project treat men and women equally because some the paddlers guide are women; “ To provide decent work for local people and improve the economic growth of the town by providing livelihood for fishermen, farmers and housewives. The association contributes the local government around 5 million since the project started in 2009.

Women welcome the guests with local song.

Fishermen as local interpreter

Today, Bojo River plays a significant role in our town, contributing in our economy through tourism, bringing fame to our town, providing livelihoods for our members and being recognized as one of  the ecotourism destinations in the  Philippines.

Comments

uyoifuonoxabi (not verified) Sat, 09/20/2025 - 19:53
For those looking to buy their heart health medication online, finding a dependable source is key. [URL=https://monticelloptservices.com/sildalis/ - sildalis[/URL - offers a secure option for getting your treatment with ease. Get your desireddevelopment with thisproduct. nizagara immediately for improved results. Battling dizziness or nausea? https://bulgariannature.com/product/prednisone/ today to Relieve your symptoms quickly and effectively.

johiyodiuse (not verified) Sat, 09/20/2025 - 19:57
Keeping your heart's rhythm steady is crucial; secure [URL=https://shilpaotc.com/hydroxychloroquine-without-dr-prescription/ - hydroxychloroquine.com lowest price[/URL - to ensure optimal cardiac health and function. Worrying about the expense of managing your cardiac health? Discover the affordable solutions now by checking the discount sale cipro , and explore the range of options available to maintain your well-being. Seeking the most economical option for your hair care? Look no further! Browse our selection for the https://hyblavalleyvet.com/prednisone/ . Whether you choose to secure your hair oil, rest assured of finding unmatched deals on our site. People seeking cost-effective options for stroke and heart attack prevention can locate the [URL=https://ormondbeachflorida.org/drugs/tadalafil/ - tadalafil using paypal[/URL - when they look into virtual pharmacy platforms.

izoramobiqari (not verified) Sat, 09/20/2025 - 20:00
Opting for [URL=https://myrsvplive.com/item/cipro/ - cipro without prescription[/URL - can be a cost-effective solution for treating bacterial infections. Purchase your generic nizagara lowest price here and enjoy enhanced well-being. Keep your health in check with ease by opting to purchase your necessary medications hassle-free. https://ormondbeachflorida.org/pill/levitra/ offers a seamless process for those looking to secure their drugs virtually.

ozujufiqefe (not verified) Sat, 09/20/2025 - 20:05
Seeking respite from chronic pain? Explore [URL=https://primerafootandankle.com/pill/tadalafil/ - tadalafil[/URL - for a treatment suited to your needs. Purchase generic Bentyl for digestive relief; explore at bentyl . Given the various options for hormone therapy, those looking to alleviate menopausal symptoms might consider checking https://phovillages.com/where-to-buy-prednisone/ . With several buying methods, selecting the right product online can yield relief efficiently. Browsing for a reliable source to purchase your hypertension medication? Look no further than [URL=https://ormondbeachflorida.org/pill/hydroxychloroquine/ - hydroxychloroquine uk[/URL - , where you can order your prescription with ease.

ipidaxu (not verified) Sat, 09/20/2025 - 20:07
Find proven remedies for boosting your sexual health with confidence at [URL=https://nikonphotorecovery.com/viagra-100mg/ - viagra price 50 mg[/URL - . Discover affordable options for enhancing your well-being: viagra us prices offers a versatile solution. Secure purchase now for a healthier tomorrow. Get relief from seasonal allergies by exploring https://ifcuriousthenlearn.com/item/buy-tadalafil-online/ , offering a cost-effective solution to manage your symptoms effectively. Zero hassle to securely purchase your medications online. Click here: [URL=https://nikonphotorecovery.com/viagra-100mg/ - viagra en ligne[/URL - for your health options.

Add new comment